Author Topic: Damascus Use For Hunting (Read 856 times)

Prince of Wales · « **on:** July 22, 2004, 10:59:30 AM »

Are Damascus blades suitable for field use? I have a good quality Damascus drop point hunter. Just wanting to be sure it is appropriate to use in field dressing deer. Thanks. POW

Joel · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2004, 08:06:41 PM »

Long as it'll take and hold a good edge, POW, have fun. You don't say whether it's pattern welded high carbon or stainless. The carbon might further etch(stain) when blade the blade comes in contact with blood, but that's what happens to hunting high carbon hunting knives, regardless of the blade construtction. I don't know anyone around here in Central PA that uses one, and I don't own one(although I made one once). Mainly I think folks are worried about "dirtying" them up after paying a pretty good chunk of change; but then I drag expensive rifles and shotguns through the brush and brambles, and use the heck out of my(pretty) knives, so I'm not of that chain of thought. As always....up to you.

TimWieneke · « **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2004, 06:08:58 AM »

What Joel said, plus bring along a sharpening stone. The softer steel layers of the damascus blade will lose their edge more quickly after some use than the harder layers and you may want to touch that up.

Tim

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2004, 04:53:33 AM »

Joel I don`t know if its pattern welded or what. The blade has an overall gray patina tone with a nice fine line pattern running throughout.
It seems to be an excellent knife. The ricasso says Hand Made Tak Fujika
SM-351. Its a small drop point with natural stag scales.
I`m not worried about getting it stained. I bought it to use but later have heard that Damascus blades are not suited to field use. So I came here to ask this question. Cheers. POW

Joel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:07:34 AM »

Didn't mean to confuse you with terms, POW. Pattern welded is the modern knifemaking term for damascus. Whoever told you that about that steel is like some folks around here. They never do much of anything, but have opinions about everything no matter what the subject.. usually negative. For some reason, the name on your knife rings a bell with me, may have read about him. Been a long, long time since I've seen a bad Japanese knife in any case. Enjoy it.

Don Buckbee · « **Reply #5 on:** July 29, 2004, 08:08:57 AM »

Go for it.. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.. The worst that could happen is that you won't be satisfied with its performance. As the Iron in the edge dulls, and the carbon steel stays sharper, you can wind up with a miniature serrated edge. Might be good. I don't know as I've never tried a Damascus blade for hunting. But, I suspect that blood will etch the iron easily. So, a wash job early on is in order.. Like, if there is snow, or a stream close by, do it immediately. Tak Fujita is a good maker.
Don

Will52100 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2004, 07:22:51 PM »

Me personaly I don't use damascus that much in the field, simply because I haven't gotten the performance out of it that I get out of my favorite, 52100. That said I'm curently useing a 1084/1520 damascus neck knife while working offshore, I'd rate most damascus knives that I've made and tested close to or maybe a little better than plain high carbon steel for edge holding and sharpening, which is plenty good enough, I just like pushing the envelope.

As far as use goes, if it was welded up right and no flaws, and properly heat treated it should make a good user, depending on the mix.

One thing that has helped my little neck knife in the salt water environment is that I wipe it clean befor putting back in the sheath, and wipe a little "nose grease" from the side of my nose or from behind the ear on the blade. I know it sounds disgusting, but it works and is not poisionus like petrolium oil is. One trick for carbon steel knife use in the field is after the first cut rub the blade down with the animals own fat, that will protect the blade from rust. It will still stain, but not as quikly and will help keep blood from rusting the blade.

Hope this helps,

Will

e3ck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2004, 01:15:58 PM »

I've made several that people have used with no complaints. I generally use 1095,1084, L6, or 15n20. There is some stainless damascus on the market availible to makers but I haven't used any to make a knife :grin: